Residents in Haus Harderode: Traffic chaos and noise threaten peace!

Residents in Haus Harderode: Traffic chaos and noise threaten peace!

In the small town of Haus Harderode, located between Lauenstein and Bessinghausen, residents are increasingly annoyed by the noise pollution caused by speeders and loud motorcycles. Lea Barkhausen and Julius von Blum report massive problems that arise from traffic noise in their area. “The road here resembles a race track,” says Barkhausen, describing her experiences and adding that the situation is almost unbearable. In order to put an end to the noise, she has already contacted the responsible authorities and arranged an on-site appointment with Markus Brockmann, head of the Hameln division of the State Authority for Road Construction and Transport, and Matthias Feldmann from the Hameln-Pyrmont/Holzminden police station.

However, the Hameln-Pyrmont district has refused to take part in this event. Brockmann described the noise from cars and motorcycles as an “area problem” that could only be solved through mutual consideration. “The noise emissions are difficult to measure and there are no limits for stationary noise,” explained Matthias Feldmann. In order to actually reduce the noise, road closures for motorcycles are necessary, but this is controversial.

Speed ​​and road safety

Residents' demands are underpinned by the existing safety issues in residential areas. Speeders pose a significant risk, especially on streets with speed limits of 30 km/h and in play streets, as explained on the Bussgeldkatalog. There are various options for those affected to take action against speeding, including filing a police report or submitting citizen applications to set up traffic-calmed areas.

Lea Barkhausen has already called for a speed limit of 70 km/h at the intersection near Haus Harderode. However, speed measurements by the district showed that when checked on June 1, 2025, out of 32 motorcycles checked, only nine exceeded the permitted maximum value. This raises the question of how effectively the existing traffic signs are positioned.

The noise problem and possible solutions

The effects of traffic noise should not be underestimated. As Deutsche Umwelthilfe states, many people in Germany suffer from the health consequences of road traffic noise. Studies show that around 75% of the population is disturbed by this noise, which can lead to serious health problems such as sleep disorders and high blood pressure.

One of the key measures to reduce noise is the introduction of a speed limit of 30 km/h in inner-city areas, which, according to experts, helps to reduce the noise level by 2-3 dB(A), which is perceived by residents as a noticeable halving of traffic volume. The planned renewal of the L588 carriageway could potentially lead to a temporary reduction in noise.

In the meantime, Julius von Blum, who plans to contact the district again to improve the exit situation at the intersection, remains optimistic. A higher traffic sign at the exit should also improve visibility. The problems caused by speeding traffic and the health effects of noise require rapid action and constructive dialogue between residents and relevant authorities.